Starbucks employee fired after seeking accommodations for OCD

In May 2024, Nilani Thiyagarajah began working at Starbucks in downtown Chicago, performing various roles including keeping the store clean and serving customers. Shortly after starting, she disclosed her battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which significantly affected her ability to dispose of items, a crucial part of her job responsibilities. She formally requested accommodations such as task modifications during busy hours and a grace period for her arrival to work. Unfortunately, her requests were met with ridicule from her management rather than the support she required. The complaint indicates that she was written up for various infractions, which included challenges related to her OCD, while simultaneously requesting help. In November, as her work situation grew worse, she applied for medical leave to undergo treatment for her condition. Just days after her leave request, she was terminated under questionable circumstances, claiming vague accusations that had not been previously noted as issues. The timing of her dismissal led Thiyagarajah to believe that Starbucks retaliated against her for seeking accommodations for her disability. Her situation is not isolated; previous incidents involving Starbucks and ADA violations have raised concerns about their treatment of employees with disabilities. Thiyagarajah is now pursuing legal action, alleging multiple violations under the Americans With Disabilities Act and seeking compensation.